THE SECOND STATION.  Jesus receives his cross

They give him back his clothing and the cross is brought to him.
"Hail," says Jesus, "O Cross that I have so long desired!"
Ah, what a solemn moment--
that in which Christ for the first time
accepts the eternal cross!
Are you going to carry it all by yourself, Lord Jesus?
Make me patient in my turn
with the cross you want me to carry.
Because we must carry the cross
before the cross carries us.

Continue to STATION III

Art by Joan Brand-Landkamer.  Meditations by Paul Claudel.
Photos (c) St. James Cathedral, 2010.  All rights reserved.